Riley talks about coaching shuffle, start of spring practice, and that West Regional bracket

TUESDAY ... I asked coach Riley if everybody on the staff had filled out their NCAA tournament brackets, and he gave me this horrified look. I guess the Neuheisel thing has impacted staffs all over the country. ... Mike didn't even ask me (I know he wanted to) if he should take Portland State and give the points.

Riley sat down with a few media types this morning at the Valley Center to talk about spring football - which starts March 31 - and some other issues.

Discipline department ... safety Al Afalava has gained notoriety (the wrong kind) on campus for destroying a city bus shelter with his car. I guess it could have been worse (there was no 300-pound ram in the passenger seat). Riley said the drunk-driving episode was out of character for Afalava. "I feel really good about that not happening with him again,'' said Riley, who said the punishment will be a one-game suspension. "He's very understanding of the seriousness of what happened,'' said Riley. "I think it's done.''

On the changes on his staff ... we already know that Keith Heyward (who once did the O.'s Play of the Week feature) is replacing CBs coach Nigel Burton.

Will Jeremy Perry ever be 100 percent healthy again? OSU's often-injured lineman will miss spring ball because he's having more work done on his troublesome knee.

WRs coach Lee Hull left for Maryland, which leaves an opening.

Riley told us Tuesday that he is still interviewing a RBs coach and a WRs coach (from the college ranks). If he hires a RBs coach, then assistant coach Jay Locey will coach the WRs. ... if Riley goes with the WRs coach, then Locey will coach the RBs.

Locey was hired originally as assistant coach in charge of RBs and TEs.

The other changes involve the GAs. ... ex-OSU QB Ryan Gunderson, the pride of S.E. Portland is coming aboard as administrative GA, while ex-OSU and NFL TE Tim Euhus is coming on to work the TEs. ... Riley sounded genuinely excited about those two joining the fold. Gundy, as you know, has basically been an unpaid assistant coach for several years.

Injury update ... QB Sean Canfield still recovering from torn labrum in left (throwing) shoulder. ... much of the spring work will go to starter Lyle Moevao, holdover Brennan Sim, and incoming prep Ryan Katz, who is enrolling early. ... LG Jeremy Perry, whose career has been plagued by injuries, is having more work done on his knee (bone spur) and won't participate in spring ball. ... DT Pernnell Booth (high ankle sprain) is having surgery, said Riley, and is also a spring scratch.

In the fingers crossed category, All-American JC defensive end Simi Kuli is on track to acquire the necessary credits at El Camino JC, and Riley said hopefully he will join the Beavers at the end of the summer, before fall camp. ... Riley added that star-crossed OL prospect Una Smiley is slated to arrive in the summertime. ... p.s., absolutely no truth to the rumor that OSU - unaccustomed to dealing with "Five-Star'' players - must bring in a special coach to work with Kuli and help out Banker and Seumalo.

The new players expected to be around for public scrutiny in spring ball include Katz (6-2, 194 from Santa Monica HS), JC running back Jeremy Francis (JC coach says he's an Yvenson Bernard clone), DT Stephen Paea, and OT Viliamu Nau.